To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of water resources in the State of Vermont.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. VERMONT WATER RESOURCES STUDY.

(a) In General- The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Geological Survey and in coordination with the State of Vermont, shall, in accordance with this Act and any other applicable law, conduct a study of water resources in the State of Vermont, including--

(1) a survey of--

(A) with respect to groundwater--

(i) supplies, including aquifers, that are available for potable use by municipalities in the State; and

(ii) availability, potability, potential to recharge, and interaction with surface water; and

(B) potential future water supply sources; and

(2) a characterization of surface and bedrock geology, including the effect of that geology on groundwater yield and quality.

(b) Report- Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives a report describing the results of the study.

(c) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.

SEC. 2. OFFSET.

Section 201(a) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-662; 100 Stat. 4090) is amended in the undesignated paragraph under the heading `NORFOLK HARBOR AND CHANNELS, VIRGINIA' by striking `$551,000,000, with an estimated first Federal cost of $256,000,000' and inserting `$545,000,000, with an estimated first Federal cost of $250,000,000'.

Passed the Senate December 7, 2006.

Attest:

Secretary.

109th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 2054

AN ACT

To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of water resources in the State of Vermont.